Ketamine Withdrawal Effects & Symptoms

Whether you are thinking about seeking support with your ketamine addiction, or you are trying to help another person in your life, you will likely be looking for information on the process and how it works.

This extends from the withdrawal effects and symptoms, to when they are likely to take place on the detox journey. This resource will outline some of these answers for you, so you are more aware of what is to come in the future.

Common ketamine withdrawal symptoms

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Psychosis (including delusion and hallucination)
• Loss of motor skills
• Rage (anger)
• Nausea (sickness)
• Decrease in respiratory and cardiac functions
• Insomnia (inability to sleep)
• Shakes
• Hearing loss
• Fatigue (lack of energy)
• Cognitive impairment (being unable to think)

These are just some of the common reported ketamine withdrawal symptoms; many of which are psychological in nature, but there are physical effects noted too.

Timeline of ketamine withdrawal effects

Based on previous studies and examples, there is a timeline of ketamine withdrawal effects that can be used as a guide. Of course, each ketamine withdrawal will be different, as each person with a drug reliance will have a different level and frequency of usage, the length of the addiction, tolerance level, and any other drugs used in tandem.

On the whole, withdrawal could last between 72 hours to several weeks, depending on the factors mentioned above. Some symptoms can be uncomfortable, which is why choosing the right rehabilitation clinic is important; they can offer the space, support and assistance that is required during the drug detox.

Withdrawal timeline breakdown

In terms of what a timeline of effects and symptoms may look like, here is a brief guide:

Day one to three
The beginning of the detox. This is when you would expect to see the start of acute withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping the use of ketamine. This may include many of the symptoms as listed above, and could be a combination of psychological and physical effects. For example, you could have physical symptoms of the shakes, double vision, rapid breathing and hearing loss, but also have the psychological symptoms of depression, hallucinations, rage and delusions.

Day four to 14
Some of the early withdrawal symptoms may last for around two weeks, but should start to decrease towards the end of a couple of weeks. It is likely that some of the physical symptoms may fade, but some of the psychological symptoms will persist, which is why the recovery support is essential.

Day 15 onwards
By this point, there will be a bit more stability, but intensive work still must be done to prolong the recovery phase, and avoid a relapse into drug taking. It is expected that certain psychological issues may persist, requiring ongoing support from a counsellor or therapist.

More information on drug detoxes

For more information about a drug detox with Delamere, you can read more on our informational pages. We also have additional resources about ketamine topics, such as the signs of a ketamine addiction, and ketamine addiction treatment.

All other enquiries can be directed to a member of the Delamere team, either by phone, email, webform or live chat. See our contact us page for more details.